I bought a Loropetalum ‘Black Pearl’ last year, which I placed in a large planter and fed and watered it well. It looked beautiful! This last couple of months, however, all the leaves have turned brown and lots have fallen off. It has no new growth. I snapped off one of the smaller branches and it was a pink colored in the middle. Is my tree dead?

I’ve used osmocote slow release but don’t see much improvement. Is Black Cow Compost better or worse than Mushroom Compost?

Answered by Nikki on May 18, 2011Certified Expert

A.

For shrubs and trees that are grown for foliage, use a nitrogen rich fertilizer. For shrubs and trees that are grown for flowers, use a phosphorus heavy fertilizer.

It will depend on a lot of things. Mushroom compost is actually cow manure compost, just that it was used to grow mushrooms in. Which is better will depend on the mix that was packaged by the packagers. Look on the bags for the nitrogen amount or the N-P-K. Whichever has the higher numbers is the better one.

Why is my Loropetalum bush turning green? I notice my neighbor’s 2 houses down is doing the same thing. HELP. I really like the dark purple leaves.

Answered by Heather on June 10, 2015Certified Expert

A.

Some of that turning of foliage is a natural response to the arrival of new growth. A plant will often do this as it prepares to discard the older set of leaves. Other causes are drought or soggy soil, both of which result in root injury followed by yellowing and dropping of older leaves. Fertilizer burn can also damage roots. Finally, as new foliage covers the older growth, it excludes the light to those leaves. In response they can lose their deep purple or burgundy color and in time even turn yellow and drop.

Two of my well established Chinese fringe shrubs seem to have a disease.

Answered by Downtoearthdigs on June 12, 2015Certified Expert

A.

I'm not sure of the symptoms of your shrubs.
They may suffer from Powdery Mildew in moist growing conditions or Scale insects or Spider Mites.
A fungicide for Powdery Mildew treatment and a insecticidal soap if you see Scale or Spider Mites is a good plan of attack.